Improvement in refrigerators



NITEE STATEs PATENT GEEIoE.

IMPROVEMENT IN REFRIGERATORS.

Specific-ation forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,344, dated June 27, 1871.

` quently pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a top View with a portion broken away to show the interior. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken on the line x x. Figl is a vertical cross-section taken on the line y y of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of Fig. 3 on the line z z, but showing the outer surface of the absorbin g-vessel corrugated.

Similar letters of reference indica-te corresponding parts.

A represents the box or outer casing, which may be made of wood, and of any convenient or required form, size, and proportion. B is the top. C is a `door hinged to the top, which gives access to the preservin g-chamber. D is the preservingchamber. E is a porous vessel, either made in a single piece or in slabs or pieces of any material, (preferably of kaolin,) but of any mineral or other substance which posseses the required degree of porosity. The outer surface of this porous vessel or evaporating medium may be corrugated, as seen in Fig. 4, so las to present a more extended evaporating-surface; or it may be made with double walls or projecting wings, or in any form, for the same purpose. F is a channel or gutter around the top of E, either continuous or in sections, into which water or other liquid is placed. This liquid is absorbed by the porous vessel or slab E, so that the latter becomes saturated with the moisture. Any water or liquid which may drip from the vessel or evaporating medium is caught by the hopper-shaped false bottom G and conducted into the watertight drawer H, from whence it may be discharged at pleasure through a faucet or otherwise. The vessel or absorbing and evaporating medium E is supported above the drip-bottom Gr in any suitable and substantial manner. In

this example of my invention it is supported by straps of metal I, which cross each other at right angles. Any supporting device may be employed which will not obstruct the current or currents of air from passing up or down entirely through the refrigerator. The box or casing A is elevated on legs J. Between the casing and the evaporating medium E is an open space, K, on each side, which open space extends from the top entirely through, and in the top are orifices L for the admission or discharge of air. In practice the air-current is downward, and the more rapid the evaporation'of the liquid or moisture from E the stronger will be the descending current of air. M is a lining on the inside of the vessel E, which may be of zinc or other metal, but preferably of some mineral composition, cement, or plastic material, either water-proof in itself or used in combination with a water-proof coating on the vessel E, so that moisture shall be entirely excluded from the preserving-chamber D.

I am well aware that it is no new thing to lower the temperature and even produce ice by evaporating moisture in an atmospheric current; but I am not aware that refrigerators have heretofore been constructed upon this principle.

By my adaptation of means to this Yend the use of ice is dispensed with. The temperatureinthe preserving-chamber is readily reduced to 400 in the hottest weather. In fact, the temperature is more readily reduced in hot than in moderate weather, as the evaporation will then be more abundant.

My improvement applies not only to refrigerators for family use, but to. refrigerating compartments on board of vessels or on railroad cars for the transportation of meats, fruits and vegetables. The motion of such vessels or cars will produce currents of air, which might be conducted to the absorbing and evaporating medium and utilized in maintaining a low temperature in a preserving-chamber.

Lateral as well as vertical currents may be employed, and the air may be forced in contact with the evaporating medium by a blower or otherwise, as may be found most convenient, or as circumstances .may dictate.

Referring again to the drawing, N represents tubes which communicate with the preservingchamber, and serve to draw off moisture or gases I which may be generatedinthat chamber. O are shelves supported in the ehainberin any suitable lnunner. In torlning the walls ot' the chamber D otl a. mineral composition, instead of zinc or other metal, I avoid the poisonous salts of such nietals and keep the chamber sweet and in good condition at all times. The water or other liquid to supplbY the evaporating-Vessel F is introduced through the funnel P. 1t is .111 aperture, through which the stem ot' :t iloat, resting on the water inthe gutter F, may project to indicate the quantity of water contained in the gutter. The door C in the top ot' the refrigerator is lined or coverd on its inside, so as to render it a,- non-conductor of heat. The top B is designed t0 iit tightly to the top ofthe vessel E 0r to the inner lining thereof, as seen in the drawing, and to be fastened to the casing in any substantial manner.

set forth.

CHAS. E. MUNROE.

Witnesses:

JAMES B. HUTCHINsoN, R. LI'rCHFIELD, Jr. 

